Spring structure for cushions or mattresses



Nov. 15, 1927.

' H. H. KNEPPER SPRING STRUCTURE FOR CUSHIONS 0R "ATTRESSES Filed Oct. I 21. 1921 9 .5. INVENT bR.

ATTORNEY.

i border springs of the group are rangement of the springs novel features of construction of a Fig. 1.

. 01'; Y 5 is a slde elevationthereof.

bbttom,the.springs ineach Patented Non-15, 1927.

-rrao STATES PATENT orator. f

HARRY H. KNEPIPER, OI, DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

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Application filed October 21, 1921. Serial at. 509,325,

This invention relates to spring structures for cushions, mattresses and the like, and the object is to provide a structure of unique character and inexpensive form in which the 5 spring body. of the article is built up of springs connected together in rows in hinged relation, each row being supported in a pocket of .a single cell'for the entire row and the several rows utilized in forming the body I 10 of the cushion or mattress being secured together 'm a manner to hold the springs of adjacent rows in intermeshing relatioh. A further'object is to-provide a spring structure of thecharacter stated having separate 1 containers or pockets and bottom border frames defining the outline of the-cushion or mattress to which the secured and the several rows together in interwith the springs of the rows separated by the fabric 0 the pockets andthe-springs of each row being in spaced relation ermitting staggered relationship of the ad acent rows of springs. By the arholding 20 meshing relationship and by use of coiled spr ngs of the barrel or the c lindrical type, the springs are supporte throughout their length and tendency to upset is eliminated. Alsoby forcing the 9 rdws together in intermeshmg relation, spaces between the rows-are avoided and a foundation for the filling material is. pro vided by the fabric conta ners.

These general objects and the various cushion or mattress embodying my invention" are hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and the-preferred form of construction thereof is shown in the accompanying 9 drawings in which- Fi 1 is a plan view partly broken away showmg the group of springs in assemble relation. x Fig. 2 is asectiontaken on line 2-2 of .Fig. line' 3-3 off F ig. 1 showing the intermeshin springs in the fabric containers.

igni is' a cross section of the container ocket for a row of springs.

ben'oted in Fig. 1 the springs in As willconnected together 'each .row are hingedly by a clip 1 at preferably row'bemg fspaced for each row with top.

' stretching or above mentioned possible the hourlass type 3 is an enlargedsection taken on p both the top and s by the clip permitting limited individual action of each spring.

One of the features of this invention, as

. above stated, is in the provision of a spring body or cushion as above stated in which the 00 interstices between the rows of springs are avoided, the surface of the containers, due to the manner of holding the s rings together providing a base for the filling and cover material to be placed thereon. This result may be secured with a cylindrical or a barrel type of coiledspring by encasing each row of springs in a se arate container as shown ahd then forcing t e rows into intermeshing relation. Preferably the containers are of less depth than the normal length of the springs so that the tension of the springbtends to hold the fabric container taut and, y forcing the springs into the intermeshing relation and thus additionally tightening the fabric of the containers and compressing the springs, the springs are-held in supporting relationship obviating any, tendency to upset. B this arrangement the upper surface of the assembled' spring body is comparatively smooth without 5 aces between the rows providing a suita 1e foundation for the covering material. With the useof a cylin-X drical or barrel t e of coiled sprin the bodies of the springs are supported b y the springs of ad acent rows throughoutthe length of the springs which is a result not to be secured with the hour-glass ordinarily used in cushions the bodies of the springs of would not come to intermeshin :relation or to position to support the b0 ies of the adjacent springs throughtype of springs or mattresses as out their length.

Therefore, a featureof this invention is in the provision of rows of springs of the .cylindrical or barrel type in separate. pockets and forcing the adjacent rows into intermeshing relation in staggered relation causing a co ression offthe springs and the stretfchilig 01fx the fabric of the containers thereo such structure, any pressure exerted on the spring body tends to compress" the springs on a vertical line. without any tendency of the springs to upset due to the fact that each spring is sustained by tension of those of the adjacent rows.', Each container is formed by foldin ;a

sheet of fabric upon itself, as will be uh I- no stood from Figs. and 5, and sewing the edges together, the depth of the pocket in cross section being less than the normal length of the springs tends of itself. to .hold

the springs under compression. The several rows of springs'each in its individual container are held together with the springs 9f adjacent rows in staggered relation as Will be understood from Fig. 1 and this is an; essential characteristic of this invent on in 'order to prevent any open space between rows into which the filling covering may become displaced.

Aswill be readily understood the drawings show merely the spring structure for the cushion or mattress, which structure 1s to be enclosed in an outer casing orcovering and this outer casing or coverin to be of a character and size to hold 't e rows 'of springs together in the intermeshlng relation heretofore described. Preferably, however, a top and bottom border frame 1nd1- cated at 10 and are used with the cushion and preferably on the upper surface an auxiliary or secondary frame 11 is vprovided within the outer border frame 10. The outer border frame is attached to the fabric and border springs of the group'by ties 12 wl lli fih e lateral pressure on the rows to cause the intermeshing relationship of the several rows. The secondary border frame is used on the u per surface of ,the cushion and is in hinge relation to the outer border frame as indicated at. 16 in Fig; '1. The purpose of the secondary frame is to extend over springs within .the border springs of the group to bring several springs into action at the same time by a, person seated on the cushion or mattress. Such secondary border frame and its purpose is more specifically described in my 00- endin application Serial No. 461,990, file Apri 16, 1920.

From the foregoing description'f 'it" will be evident that the essential novel characteristics of the spring structure is the arran ement of the springs in rows in hinged re ation in the row, the rows bein assembled in the pockets of a single cell or the entirerow, the springs normally being. of greater length than the depth j'of the pocket sotha't the fabric of the pocket is normally held taut by the spring, and the grouping and forcing of the rows together in intermeshing relation with the springs of adjacent rows in staggered relation, which features are embodiedinthe appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a cushion or mattress, a resilient body consisting of a plurality of rows of coiled springs, means hingedly connecting the springs'of a row together'in spaced relation, a separate fabric container forming a singlecell for each row of springs, the rows of springs and containers therefor being unconnected with adjacent rows and 4 containers and the springs of the adjacent. rows being arranged in staggered relation,

and means for maintaining the rows under lateral pressure forcing the springs of adjacent rows into intermeshing relation.

2. ha cushion or mattress, a resilient -body consisting of a plurality of rows of 'coiled springs, a clip hingedly connecting adjacent springs of each row and maintaining the springs of a row separated, a separate fabric container forming a single cell for-each-row of springs, each row of springs and container therefor being unconnected wlth ad]acent rows and containers and the springs of the adjacent rows being arranged in staggered relation, and a top and bottom borderframe defining the outline of the 'cushion connected to the border of the group of containers holding the same under 'lateral pressureforcing the springs of ad jace'nt rows into intermeshing relation.

3. In a cushion or mattress, a resilient body consisting of a plurality of rows of coi ed springs hingedly connected together -in spaced relation, a separatefabric container forming a single cell for each row of springs, and meansfor holding the several rows of springs together with the springs in staggered relation and under lateral pres sure forcing the springs of adjacent rows into intermeshing relation.

4. A mattress or cushion comprising a plurality of rows of coiled springs arranged in rows, the' springs of each row being hingedly connected together in spaced relation, the

several coils of each spring being substan- 'tial-ly of the same diameter, a separate fabric container providin 'row, the 'springs'o adjacent rows being in cred relation, and a top border frame I de ning the outline of'the cushion and maina single cell' for each sta taining the rows under pressure suflicient to 7 force the coils intointermeShing relation. In testimony whereof,I' sign this specification. I

' HARRY H. KNEPPER. 

